Burial vault



J. D. CANEDY BURIAL AULT Filed sept. e, 1935 Oct. 20, 1936..

2 sheets-seei 2 Patented Oct.` 20, 1936 UNITED STATES` BURIAL vAULr John D. Canedy, Oneida, N. Y., assignor to Maxwell Vault & Casket Co., Inc., Oneida, N. Y., a corporation of New York Application september 6, '1985, serial No. 89,482

2 Claims.

This invention relates to burial vaults, and more particularly, to sheet metal vaults embodying a box-like section and a cover section, together With suitable clamping devices for releasably holding the cover section in closed position across the open top of the box section.

The box and cover sections of the vault are preferably made of so'called non-corrodible or slowcorroding sheet metal of uniform thickness and tenacious texture for lightness, strength and durability, to preserve and protect the enclosed casket from undue deterioration, particularly when embedded in the ground which contains more or less moisture and/ or other disintegrating elements.

One of the primary objects of the present invention is to prevent `the entrance of moisture from Without and also to prevent the escape of gases from within the vault, so that-When buried in the ground, it will resist disintegrationfor a longer :i period of time than has heretofore been practiced,

and at the same time, reduce the liability of lexit of any gases or vapors from the interior of the vault for sanitary reasons.

In other Words, I have sought to avoid perforating any part of the body section or cover section and, at the same time, to hermetically seal the joint between said sections, and thereby to further prevent the entrance of moisture from without and escape of gasesfrom Within the vault when the cover section is closed.

In carrying out theaforementioned objects, simplicity and economy of construction have been given careful consideration but Without sacrificing efficiency and effectiveness of purpose. To .this end, I prefer to construct the box or body section of the vault of similar complemental sections to provide the opposite side Walls and bottom, the complemental sections `being preferably unitedat theedges of the bottom-forrning portions thereof, thereby forming a medial seam in the bottom, the ends of the vault body being united with the end edges of the complemental sections aforementioned.

A further object of the invention is vto provide reinforcement for the corners of the vault body, such reinforcement being preferably accomplished through the provision of corner rmembers interlockingly engaging the contiguous Walls adjacent their meeting edges, these corner members giving the effect of and substantially constituting corner posts or pilasters.

Another object of the invention is to provide the box or body section of the vault with sealing means in the nature of a laterally extending sealing ange at the upper open end of the same and;

preferably as an integral part of the body section, the sealing flange being channelled or depressed for the reception of a suitable yieldable or compressible sealing gasket.

. AA still further object of the invention is to pro- 5 vide releasable clamping means for, effectively clamping the cover section in sealing relation upon the open top of the vault body section, the clamping means being preferably mounted in such a manner as to avoid perforating or mutilating the vault or `any part thereof.

ThisV aim maybe simply carried outby the provision of a series of clamping members arranged at intervals around the vault body, the clamping members being pivotally mounted on brackets or angle bars, which in turn are rigidly xed, as by'vvelding, to the Walls of the vault body just below the laterally extending sealing flanges. The purpose of the pivotal arrangement of the clamping members will become more apparent 20 as the description of the invention proceeds. i

The invention also contemplates the provision of reinforcing straps extending transversely of the. cover section and secured to the inner surface of the same, the ends of which straps serveto facilitate the positioningv of the cover on the body section and preventing lateral movementof the cover when so positioned.

, Other and further objects and advantages of the invention will be hereinafter set forth, and the novel featuresthereof defined by the appended claims. i f

Figure 1 is a side elevation of a burial vault embodying the essential features of my invention;

Figure-2 is an enlarged sectional view taken approximately on the line 2-2 of Figure 1; Y

Figure 3 isa fragmentary top plan View of an end portion of the vault body section, the cover 40 havingbee'n Iremoved to more clearly show the longitudinal medial seam in the bottom and the sealing flange construction;

Figure 4 is an enlarged fragmentary detail View showing the body and cover sections of the vault in vassembled position, together with one of the clamping devices for clamping the same together, the dotted lines illustrating the released position of the clamping lever ,0

Figure 5` is a fragmentary detail sectional View 50 taken approximately on the line -5 of Figure 8;

Figure 6 is lajhorizontal sectional View taken through one corner of the vault body section and particularly illustrating the interlocking corner post member forreinforcing the corner joint;`

Figure '7 is a fragmentary detail elevation of a corner of the vault as shown in Figure 6, and as viewed from a diagonal position looking directly at the corner; and

Figure 8 is a detail sectional view taken approximately on the line 8-8 of Figure 4.

Like reference characters designate corresponding parts in the several gures of the drawings, wherein I denotes generally the vbox or body section of the vault, and 2 the cover or closure member therefor which is adapted to be positioned over the upper open end of the body section, and releasably secured in such position through the clamping membersy 3. Of course, the vault may have any desired configuration, but as is customary, it comprises an elongated substantially rectangular unit, both the body and cover being made of relatively thin sheet metal preferably of highly tenacious sheet metal of uniform thickness; or if desired, it may be made of other non-corrodible or slowly corroding metal.

The body section I `is preferably of uniform height and uniform width throughout its length and breadth, and is composed of two complemental sections, which, when joined together, form the long sides Ia. and Ib` and bottom 5 of the body section. In `other words, the complemental members are substantially in the form of angle sections which are adapted to be joined together 4at the edges of the bottom-forming portions thereof, as by welding, thereby providing a longitudinally extending medial seam v5c in the bottom. It is to lbe understood that the ends 4 of the vault may be formed separately and rigidly united to the end edges of the side Yforming portions Ia and Ib` and the bottom `forming portions 5a and 5h of the bottom 5 of the complemental sections. By uniting the various parts mentioned above as vby welding, a rigid unitary structure is afforded and without necessitating any perforations or openings; excepting of course, the main opening at the top of lthe body section which affords access to the interior thereof.

As illustrated 'particularly 'in Figures 6 and "l, the corners of the body section are preferably .reinforced by a corner post-like reinforcing member 6, the edges of which are .turned in 'to form interlocking flanges '1, interloc'kingly engaging with corresponding outwardly 4`turned flanges 8 formed respectively at the meeting edges of the adjacent walls of the body section. kThis reinforcing member 6 may be assembled with `the walls of the body section by a sliding movement of the member 6 onto the `flanges 8. The corner weld has been generally designated 9, the weld being normally hidden from view when the members y6 are yassembled onto the vault body.

TheboX-or body section is preferably provided with `outwardly turned flanges I0, extending continuously along the upper edges of its sides and ends and -around the corners thereof, these flanges being preferably an integral part Aof the side and end walls. The flanges are rigidly united to 'each other at the corners of the vault body for reinforcing purposes and are provided with channels or depressions 'I'I, opening upwardly and extending continuously along and upon the anges and around the corners of the vault. The gasket I 2 is made of any `suitable yieldable or compressible material, .such as rubber, and is slightly greater in thickness than the vertical ydepth of lthe channels II so as .to normally project slightly above the horizontal plane of the upper edges of the side and end walls so as to form a yielding seat for the adjacent portions of the cover section 2. As illustrated, the opposite side walls of the channels II are of double thickness for reinforcing purposes and for firmly holding the gasket I2 against undue lateral spreading.

That is, the upper edges of the side walls laf-Ib, and end walls 4, are folded outwardly and downwardly upon themselves Vto form the inner walls I3 of the channels, while the upper edges of the outer walls of the channels are folded outwardly and downwardly upon the outer faces of the adjacent portions thereof, as at I4. The side and end walls of the channels I I extend upwardly uniform distances from the bottoms of the channels, which latter are preferably disposed in a horizontal plane for supporting the gasket I2.

The cover'section 2 is of sufficient area to cover the open top of the box or body section I, and extends laterally across and beyond the upper ends of the channels I I and flanges I0, the outer marginal portions of the cover being disposed in substantially horizontal planes, as at I5, while the intermediate portion is preferably arched upwardly, transversely, for ornamental and reinforcing purposes, as shown clearly in Figures 1 and 2.

The outer edges of the cover section are provided with downwardly turned flanges I6, which project substantially to the bottom of the outer walls I4 of the channel II, primarily to conceal the sealing flanges. See Fig. 8.

One or more reinforcing straps I'I of sheet metal or equivalent material is secured, as by spot welding or otherwise, to the under side of the cover section 2. These reinforcing straps extend transversely of the cover between the sides Ia. and Ib of the box or body section of the vault, and have their outer ends turned downwardly or offset so as to form abutments I8. The outer faces of the abutments I8 are disposed a distance apart transversely substantially equal to the distance between the inner faces of the side walls I a, and Ib, so that when the cover is placed in operative or closed position upon the body section, resting upon the upper face of the gasket I2, the abutments I8 will engage the inner faces of the adjacent portions of the `sides la and Ib, as shown best in Figures 2 and 8, to assist in holding the cover against lateral movement relatively of the body section. It will also be understood that the marginal anges I6 on the cover 2 also serve to hold the cover against lateral or endwise movement relatively to the body section when the cover is in closed position.

Suitable means is lprovided for clamping the cover section to the upper marginal edge of the body section, and without in any way perforating or mutilating any part of either the cover or body section, or deforming the adjacent portions of either section. For this purpose, I preferably employ angle strips or bars, generally designated I9, formed of steel or other suitable metal, one flange 20 of which is positioned closely beneath the channels II and extends laterally outwardly from the sides and ends of the body section,and the other flange 2| of which is united with the sides and ends, as by welding. I prefer to unite the angle bars I 9 only with the side and end walls, and not with the channels I I. However, it will be obvious that the angle bars I9 `serve to reinforce the side and end walls and also reinforce the channels II when the clamping means presently to be described is operated to clamp the cover in closed position.

The clamping devices are generally designated as 3 and are preferably arranged in uniformly spaced relation about the vault, each clamp being pivotally mounted upon the laterally extending flanges 2|] of the angle bars I9, as shown best in Figures 4 and 8.

Each of these clamping devices comprises a substantially U-shaped member 23, the upper arm 24 and lower arm 25 of which extend respectively over and under the marginal edges of the cover and sealing flanges. The lower arm of the U- shaped clamp is extended transversely of the clamp, as at 26, and is provided adjacent its free end with an upwardly projecting stud 2l, which is adapted to be received in a suitable aperture provided therefor in the flanges 20 of the angle bars I9. By upsetting the upper ends of the studs 2l, the clamps are pivotally secured to the angle bars, there being sufficient looseness afforded so as to permit the clamps to pivot about the Vertical axis of the studs. The upper arm of the C-shaped clamp has mounted thereon a cam lever 28, as shown clearly in Figures l and 4, the cam portion 29 of which may be actuated by rocking the lever aboutV pivot 30, through the medium of the handle 3|.

In order to position the cover member 2 to close the upper open end of the vault body, the

vclamping members are preferably all shifted about their vertical pivotal axes to assume positions as shown in Fig. 3, and in dotted lines in Figure 5.

Thereupon, the cover is placed over the vault body and seated on the gasket I2, the flanges I6 at the marginal edges of the cover and the abutments I8 of the reinforcing straps Il serving to facilitate the positioning of the cover and insuring that the cover will assumethe correct alignment relatively to the vault body prior to clamping the cover in its closed position. Thereafter, the clamping members are shifted inwardly to the positions shown best in Figures 2, 4 and 8, it being understood that the cam levers are moved to the dotted line position of Figure 4 prior to such shifting of the clamping members. Then, by rocking the cam levers 28 from the dotted line position of Figure 4 to the full line position, a firm clamping pressure will be exerted on the cover, urging the same downwardly into tight sealing engagement with the gasket I2. Owing to the abutting relation of the laterally extending flanges 29 of the angle bars I9 with respect to the sealing channels II, the channels are reinforced and maintained absolutely rigid as the pressure is applied by the cams to the cover 2. With the clamping means in clamping position, the handles 3| overlie the horizontal marginal flangesI I 5 of the cover and are in substantial alignment with these ilanges, so that there is no likelihood of the handles becoming accidentally moved to releasing position through striking against objects during handling of the vault. In other words, the clamping means are so arranged that they do not project outwardly from the vault when in clamping position, but lie closely adjacent the surface of the cover to minimize the likelihood of accidental release thereof.

To release the cover, it is merely necessary to rock the cam levers 28, by means of the handles 3|, to the dotted line position shown in Figure 4 and shift the clamping members outwardly about their vertical pivotal axes, as shown dotted in Figure 5, whereupon the cover may be readily lifted off.

When the cam levers are in clamping position, the cover 2 serves to limit the downward movement of the handles, but prior to reaching their downward limit, the high Ypoints of the cams 29 are firmly pressed into engagement with the upper surface of the adjacent portions of the cover section, thereby placing the gasket I2 under more or less compression, and effectively hermetically sealing the vault at the joint between the cover and the body section. The shape of the cams 29 is such that the clamping levers will remain in clamping position when the handles 3| are moved downwardly into substantially abutting relation with the cover, as shown in full lines in Figure 4.

VIt is to be understood that with the exception of the joint between the cover and body sections of the vault, all of the joints' are preferably welded, thereby affording a substantially unitary construction. Through theuse of the postlike locking members 6, the corner joints are substantially reinforced, and at the same time, these members create a distinctive ornamental effect.

It is apparent from the foregoing description that the reinforcing bars I9 and clamping devices 3 may be assembled as separate units after which the flanges 2| of the bars I9 may be spot welded or otherwise permanently secured to the walls of the body section, with the laterally extending flanges 20 closely adjacent to and preferably abutting the bottom of the channels II, thus avoiding perforating or otherwise mutilating the anges and preserving the uniformity of the height of the vault body all around the seam so as to provide a uniform seal completely around the upper end of the vault body.

While the specic details of construction have been herein shown and described, the invention is not confined thereto as alterations may be made without departing from the spirit thereof as defined by the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

l. A burial vault comprising a box-like section having outturned imperforate flanges along the upper edges of its sides and ends, said flanges being provided with lengthwise channels, a cover section extending across said channels when closed, reinforcing strips permanently secured te the box-like section without perforating said flanges and extending along the undersides of the flanges in contact therewith, and clamping devices engaging respectively the undersides of the strips and upper surfaces of the cover section for holding the latter in its closed position without perforating the flanges and thereby to assist in making the joint between the box section and cover section liquid-tight.

2. In a burial vault, the combination with a box-like section and a cover section therefor, of means for securing the cover section to the box section including a reinforcing strip permanently secured to the box section and comprising an angle bar having one leg lying against the outer face of the box section adjacent to the upper edge of the latter, and the other leg extending outwardly therefrom, a plurality of clamping members pivotally secured to the other leg of the reinforcing bar at spaced intervals with their pivotal axes vertically disposed, and cam levers pivotally mounted on the first-named members and movable into and out ofengagement with the cover for holding and releasing the latter in and from its closed position.

JOHN D. CANEDY. 

